(A)synchrony of timelines in specialist jobs (2014–2016)

The project seeks to increase understanding of time structures and their effects in situations when work is characterized by complex ties between different stakeholders.

Specialists manage and are expected to be responsible for their own workloads and schedules. Yet work cannot be done independently of other people’s timelines, clients’ needs and changing working environments.

Schedules cannot always be synchronized and timelines need to be rearranged. The interwoven and bound nature of different stakeholders’ processes is particularly evident in project-type work and when work is highly networked.

AIMS OF THE PROJECT

I. Determine how timelines and time structures are managed in specialist jobs, and how job autonomy is affected when work involves multiple stakeholders and interwoven processes.

II. Describe how the possible asynchrony of timelines affects specialists in their work.

III. Predict the extent of such asynchrony and its impact on the work life in future.

IV. Develop a battery of questions to measure asynchrony that relates to timelines in specialist jobs.

V. Identify practices that help synchronise work processes.

PROJECT IMPLEMENTATION

Different types of data are collected:

A quantitative survey among specialists. (N= ~3000)

Qualitative research among specialists and employer representatives (N=~30)

This varied data will illustrate the extent of timeline-related asynchrony in specialist jobs at Finnish workplaces. It will also increase understanding of the types of jobs and workplaces that are most affected, the possible consequences of such asynchrony, and how to better manage it. Finally, the project will deepen understanding of specialists’ work autonomy.

SCHEDULE

The project schedule is 9/2014-12/2016.

FUNDING

The Finnish Work Environment Fund.

CONTACT

You can contact our advisory experts by emailing them at firstname.surname@ttl.fi.